Major Project
Our Spaces [Read more]
Welcome to Our Spaces
Our Spaces aims to provide users with tools to better navigate sexual harassment experiences through support, community, and education. To immediately incorporate experts within this space, the National Sexual Violence Resource Center was identified as an optimal partner to provide resources for every type of user.
In the United States, women frequently rely on Apple's iOS app, 'Find My', to create seemingly safer environments by staying connected to their friends and family. While the app’s intended use is social connection, its adapted use, within this context, is centered around safety. While proposing immediate integration within Apple’s current ecosystem of preprogrammed iPhone apps would be unrealistic, the Our Spaces concept was designed using iOS 14 in anticipation of future implementation. While this may seem far fetched, Apple has proven their commitment to safety through their current application features and external partnerships. These points make for a strong argument for incorporating the iOS 14 UI into the Our Spaces design.
Interactive Onboarding
To provide users with a full understanding of the main features provided by the platform, they will first begin an interactive onboarding process with quick, simple videos highlighting the user’s main capabilities within the app.
Spaces
Our Spaces provides users with information about a location, helping them increase their awareness of sexual harassment incidents that have taken place at a specific location. By valuing and prioritizing autonomy, it doesn’t try to steer users away from areas. Rather, it visually communicates data and provides access to posts, all in the palm of their hand.
Friends
Because users previously relied on the iOS app, 'Find My', for safety, similar location sharing services are provided within Our Spaces. Users are able to choose who they share their location with, maintaining their freedom to change these settings at any time.
Community
Through the community page, a user can stay informed about the experiences posted in their area by choosing their desired radius relative to their permanent address. These posts can be accessed on the community feed by browsing posts or searching specific keywords or phrases. Users are able to show support for others by tapping the 'show support' button and choosing one of the available options.
Write a Post
If a user has experienced sexual harassment, Our Spaces wants to amplify their voice, empowering them to help other users stay informed. To prioritize their safety, all posts are anonymous. Users will be asked to write a subject line, describe what happened, tag the location, and agree to the terms and conditions. Listing the date and receiving notifications is optional, to ensure the user's anonymity and maintain their privacy. Once a post is submitted, NSVRC experts are able to review and approve the post within a 24-hour time span, and then notify the user.
Support and Resources
Users are able to access readily available resources within the 'Me' tab, along with posts they've written, drafted, and saved. Notification and location sharing settings can also be changed in this section.
Resources for Every User
Our Spaces provides resources for all users, and these extensive lists are pulled from the current NSVRC website.
Molly Fowkes
I'm a designer with a passion to help users who are traditionally overlooked, by providing meaningful and accessible solutions.
As an undergraduate student at Stanford University pursuing a degree in Product Design, I developed a strong interest in human centered design, with a particular passion for designing solutions for users who are often overlooked. From the projects I worked on, I learned the importance of investing time in conducting ethical ethnographic research, pushing beyond sympathy to empathize with the target user.
As a master's student at Loughborough, I built upon my human centered design research foundation by learning the stages of the product development process to account for real world implementation. From my frequent engagement with external clients, I’ve discovered the power of using storytelling to effectively communicate research insights and professionally deliver final concepts.
As I designer, it's important to me to prioritize usability and accessibility for users, especially vulnerable and marginalized groups. I look forward to continuing to work on projects that are committed to providing underserved users with meaningful solutions.
Major Project
Our Spaces
Awards
Last fall, I participated in the 2019 UXathon held at Loughborough University, where we partnered with students from the Hong Kong School of Business. Our client was "Vanya", a sustainable clothing platform. With a group of five other design students, we were tasked with re-designing Vanya's online platform according to their customer needs and company values. Of the teams partaking in this event, our group was awarded with 'Best Concept'.